~ Notes Around Town ~


At a recent luncheon, Monmouth County Freeholder Harry Larrison Jr. presented Aggie Dixon of Red Bank with a pin marking her 30 years of service with the Monmouth County Division of Social Services.At a recent luncheon, Monmouth County Freeholder Harry Larrison Jr. presented Aggie Dixon of Red Bank with a pin marking her 30 years of service with the Monmouth County Division of Social Services.

Condolences go out to the family of Tom Kavendek, longtime Tinton Falls resident and community activist, who died suddenly at a men’s recreation basketball game Jan. 17. Over the years, Kavendek has not only served on the borough’s Planning Board and as chairman of the Recreation Committee, but he coached many local youth sports.

In memory of Kavendek, his friends and colleagues have created an educational fund to benefit Cristina and Jaclyn, the two daughters of Tom and his wife, Sharon. Anyone, who would like to contribute, may send checks to: Sharon Kavendek, 15 Columbia Drive, Tinton Falls 07724.

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Shrewsbury Mayor Emilia Siciliano and the Borough Council expressed their appreciation Sunday to more than 80 volunteers, who dedicated their time, talent and countless hours of service in 2001 as members of borough boards, commissions and committees. At an informal gathering held at the Shadowbrook, Siciliano lauded the volunteers for choosing to act in recognition of a need and sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise without concern for monetary return. She commended their attitude of social responsibility.

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The Mental Health Association of Monmouth County is sponsoring a free program, which will demonstrate the personal experience of psychotherapy in a group setting, one evening a month over the next four months. The program will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, 351 Sycamore Ave., in Shrewsbury on Feb. 21, March 21, April 18 and May 16 — all Thursdays. While personal sharing and active participation are welcome, they are by no means required, the Eatontown-based agency said.

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Brother Gregory Quinn will present a program of Irish dancing at the meeting of The Woman’s Club of Little Silver at 1 p.m. March 13 at club headquarters 111 Church St. The club recently donated eight children’s and adult books to the Little Silver Library as part of its involvement in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs "Libraries 2000" project. The club also donated to the Little Silver Food Bank.

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The Red Bank Pub Crawl banner, usually located on the fence surrounding the Salvation Army property on Riverside Avenue, across from Maple Avenue, has been taken. The banner had been there for about two years, hung by a member of the group on the Tuesday before an activity, informing the public of the Web site and upcoming crawl. The banner was noticed missing sometime within 24 hours prior to the last pub crawl Jan. 26. Organizers of the pub crawls would like the banner returned if it was taken or replaced by any interested party.

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The Red Bank Police Department has added a new man in blue. At the last Borough Council meeting, Councilman Thomas E. Hintelmann, who is also the council’s police commissioner, announced that the department would be hiring Patrick Kennedy as a probationary officer.

Kennedy, according to Hintelmann, is a lifelong borough resident and graduate of Red Bank Regional High School.

Kennedy had been working as a dispatcher for the department, where there has been a family tradition. Kennedy’s brother, Sean, is a sergeant with the force and their father, Robert was a 25-year veteran before retiring.

"You’ve been around for a while," Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr., said to Kennedy, "and we know how professional you are."

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The Red Bank Elks Bates Lodge No. 220 will be holding its Joint Entertainment Committee Breakfast Sunday. The breakfast will be at the lodge, 306 Shrewsbury Ave., from 8 a.m. to noon. A donation of $7 is requested. For more information, contact the lodge at (732) 747-9839.

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Find out if romance is in your future or brush up on your footwork at a cocktail party hosted by The Woman’s Club of Red Bank tonight at its clubhouse, the Anthony Reckless Estate, 164 Broad St., Red Bank. "Prelude to a Kiss" will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature a "chocolatier," florist, ballroom dance instructor, and psychic, all prepared to get attendees ready for Valentine’s Day. Singles and couples are welcome. A $5 donation is suggested and proceeds will benefit the club’s community service programs. For more information, call A.J. Agnew at (732) 671-6723.

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Conserving open space will be the topic of The Sierra Club meeting Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. at the Old Wharf House, Old Wharf Park, Main Street and Oceanport Avenue in Oceanport. The meeting will focus on the work of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation which has been instrumental in saving thousands of acres of county land as open space. For more information, contact Mary Lanko at (732) 462-2199.

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Ido Aharoni, spokesman and consul for media and public affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York and the tri-state area, will speak at the United Methodist Church in Red Bank March 3 at 4 p.m. The event is being presented under the auspices of the United Methodist Church in cooperation with The Jewish Council for Public Affairs of the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County. UMC in Red Bank is located at 247 Broad St. For reservations, contact the church office at (732) 747-0446.

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Aggie Dixon of Red Bank was among the county employees honored recently for dedicated service. Dixon, has been employed by the Monmouth County division of social services for 30 years, was among the 24 county employees who received pins in recognition of 30 years of service. Also honored for 30 years’ service were Bruce A. Gollnick and John J. Waters, Red Bank; Jay F., Forrar, Shrewsbury; and Nancy H. Borchert, Tinton Falls. Employees honored for 20 years of service included Frida E. McLaughlin of Rumson and Robert A. Honecker of Shrewsbury.

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A Health Expo is one of the Black History Month events sponsored by Fort Monmouth. The expo, sponsored by the Patterson Army Health Clinic, Meridian Health System and Mentors Chapter Blacks in Government, will take place Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fort’s Community Center. Attendees will be able to participate in free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and body composition. Information on hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDs, breast cancer and prostate cancer will also be available. For more information, call Phil Atwell at (732) 532-3531.

Also scheduled is a Cultural Evening at Gibbs Hall, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. to midnight. The event is sponsored by the Black Employment Program Committee, the Fort Monmouth Equal Employment Opportunity Office, and the CECOM Research, Development and Engineering Center Integrated Community Outreach Network. The program will include music, dance, ethnic food sampling and a guest speaker. For more information, call Dawn Palmer at (732) 532-4366.